Expedite vs. Expediate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 19, 2023
Expedite means to accelerate or speed up a process; expediate is less commonly used but can mean to hasten or facilitate.
Difference Between Expedite and Expediate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Expedite is a verb that carries the meaning of making an action or process occur more quickly. It implies the acceleration of something that might otherwise take longer. Expediate, on the other hand, is a less common term. It can be synonymous with expedite, but it is not as widely recognized or used in modern English. Some might argue that expediate is not a standard word, but it has been found in older literature.
In common usage, if you're aiming to use the most recognized and understood term, expedite would be the preferable choice. It is more commonly found in business and professional contexts, especially when emphasizing the urgency or importance of speeding up a particular process. Expediate, due to its rarity, might be perceived as a mistake or a mispronunciation of expedite. Thus, it's essential to be aware of the audience and context when choosing between these words.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Speed up a process or action
Hasten or facilitate
Common Usage
Frequently used
Less common
Recognition
Widely recognized
Not as widely recognized
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Contextual Appearance
Business, professional contexts
Older literature
Potential Misinterpretation
Less likely to be misinterpreted
Might be seen as a mistake
Compare with Definitions
Expedite
To speed up a process or action.
They decided to expedite the delivery to meet the deadline.
Expediate
To facilitate or assist.
The assistant's presence helped expediate the workshop's setup.
Expedite
Expeditious; quick; prompt.
Expediate
To drive or push forward.
Their encouragement helped expediate the group's motivation.
Expedite
Make (an action or process) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly
He promised to expedite economic reforms
Expediate
To expedite.
Expedite
To send off or dispatch rapidly.
They expedited the documents to ensure they arrived on time.
Expediate
To speed up or accelerate.
New tools were introduced to expediate the production line.
Expedite
To perform (a task) fast and efficiently.
Expediate
To injure (a dog) by cutting away the pads of the forefeet, thereby preventing it from hunting.
Expedite
To accomplish promptly.
The manager took measures to expedite the project's completion.
Expediate
To hasten the progress of something.
The team tried to expediate the research after the sudden breakthrough.
Expedite
To despatch; to send forth; to issue officially.
Such charters be expedited of course.
Expediate
To make an action smoother or less complicated.
Proper planning can expediate any event's organization.
Expedite
To facilitate or make easier.
Online check-in can expedite the airport boarding process.
Expediate
Misconstruction of expedite
Expedite
To speed up the progress of or execute quickly
Expedite the review of a legal case.
Expedite a loan application.
Expediate
(obsolete) Expeditious.
Expedite
(transitive) To accelerate the progress of.
He expedited the search by alphabetizing the papers.
Expediate
To hasten; to expedite.
Expedite
To perform the duties of an expediter.
Expedite
Free of impediment; unimpeded.
Expedite
Speed up the progress of; facilitate;
This should expedite the process
Expedite
Process fast and efficiently;
I will try to expedite the matter
Expedite
To execute quickly and efficiently.
The team was praised for their ability to expedite tasks under pressure.
Expedite
Free of impediment; unimpeded.
To make the way plain and expedite.
Expedite
Expeditious; quick; speedily; prompt.
Nimble and expedite . . . in its operation.
Speech is a very short and expedite way of conveying their thoughts.
Expedite
To relieve of impediments; to facilitate; to accelerate the process or progress of; to hasten; to quicken; as, to expedite the growth of plants.
To expedite your glorious march.
Common Curiosities
Is expediate a valid English word?
While expediate is found in older literature, it is less recognized in modern English and can be considered non-standard.
How frequently is expediate used compared to expedite?
Expedite is more commonly used and recognized in modern English compared to the less frequent expediate.
What does expedite mean?
Expedite is a verb meaning to make a process faster or to speed up an action.
What does expediate mean?
Expediate, a less common term, means to hasten, facilitate, or make a process easier.
Can expediate and expedite be used interchangeably?
Although similar in meaning, expedite is more widely accepted and understood. Expediate might be seen as a mistake in some contexts.
Why might someone choose to use expedite over expediate?
Expedite is more standard and widely recognized, making it preferable in business, professional, and most everyday contexts.
Is there any potential confusion between expedite and expediate?
Yes, given their similarity in sound and meaning, there's potential for confusion. Expediate might be misconstrued as a mispronunciation of expedite.
Should one be cautious when using the word expediate?
Given that expediate is less recognized, it's wise to be aware of your audience and context to avoid potential misunderstandings.
Which word, expedite or expediate, has a richer historical context?
While both words have historical roots, expediate's presence in older literature gives it a unique historical flavor, even if it's less common today.
In which contexts might one encounter the word expediate?
Expediate may appear in older literature or in specific regional dialects, but it is less common in contemporary writings.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
